New Illinois law bars employer access to social media accounts

Due to the immense popularity of social media web services such as Facebook and Twitter, some employers have recently begun to require employees and applicants to provide their passwords or otherwise allow access to their social media accounts. The Illinois Legislature has now put a stop to that practice.

On Aug. 1, Illinois amended the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act to prohibit employers from de­­manding access to employees’ and job applicants’ social media accounts. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013.

H.B. 3782 will prohibit employers from requesting or requiring an employee or applicant to provide any password or other related private account information in order to gain access in any manner. In addition, employers are not permitted access to social media accounts under any circumstances, including work-related investigations of misconduct or har­­assment or for other legitimate business reasons. The law contain...(register to read more)

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